Cochran will lead America’s Franchised Dealers Through Transformative Period in Automotive Retail 

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Rob Cochran
2026 NADA
Chairman

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (February 5, 2026) — Pennsylvania dealer Rob Cochran officially took the role of NADA’s 2026 chairman today at an event on the Main Stage at NADA’s 2026 Show. Cochran outlined his priorities in a speech before thousands of convention attendees.

“As we look at our business model – today and in the years ahead – we are managing more variables, more uncertainties, and more transformation than at any point in our history,” Cochran said during his speech. “The importance of NADA — and dealer involvement — has never been greater than it is right now.”

Cochran began his automotive career in 1987 after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University. A second-generation leader, he has guided the family-owned business for more than three decades, expanding it into a dynamic enterprise defined by innovation, diversification, and an unwavering commitment to its customers and communities. Today, the company operates 35 dealerships representing 20 brands, 12 collision centers, and a wholesale parts distribution center.

In his address on the Main Stage, Cochran said he will focus on two primary areas during his chairmanship: effectively managing current policy and regulatory challenges while also prioritizing long-term strategic issues. Cochran complimented NADA’s Board and leadership, reiterating the organization's commitment to protecting the franchised dealer system while positioning it for long-term success.

“I am excited to be working with this group. All of us — the Board, the Executive Committee, and each of you — will work together to continue to protect what makes our system the best in the world while positioning ourselves to thrive in the next era of automotive retail.”

Cochran, Chairman and CEO of #1 Cochran, the largest automotive retailer in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, will succeed Tom Castriota, owner of Castriota Chevrolet, Inc. in Hudson, Fla., as chairman. Cochran has served on the NADA Board of Directors, representing Pennsylvania, since 2020.